In games against Oklahoma City, Washington, and now Charlotte, the Hawks let inferior teams hang around too long and nearly let the win slip away. And yet, they didn't. Whereas in the past the Hawks might have lost at least one if not several of those games, this year's squad has kept its poise, played tough D when it mattered, and hit clutch shots down the stretch to come away victorious.

Yeah, I wish these games had been 20-point blowouts (Josh Smith or no Josh Smith), but a one-point margin of victory counts just as much 30.

It is possible that playing down to the level of the opposition will come back to bite this team in the rear at some point. At the same time, the lessons learned by winning ballgames in the final minutes will come in handy, no matter who the competition is.

In the meantime, the Hawks pick up a second straight home win, running their mark to 4-1 at Philips on the season. Joe was pretty much Joe (30 points and 8 assists), Bibby was Bibby (three huge 3's in the fourth quarter to keep the Hawks in front), and for the second straight game, Marvin Williams was a difference maker.

Posting his second straight double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds, Marv got most of his points around the basket while mixing in a couple jumpers and what is quickly becoming his trademark this season, the dagger three from the corner in a late-game situation.

Seriously, if Marvin can keep this kind of effort up, even proportionally, when Josh Smith gets back? This team could be really dangerous.

Congrats on the win guys - go get 'em tomorrow night in Cleveland.